hostile
hostile Lexical Profile
hostile Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Showing or feeling opposition, ill will, or unfriendliness toward someone or something.
"The speaker faced a hostile audience that disagreed with nearly every point of the proposal."
Unfavorable, harsh, or inhospitable to life, growth, or success.
"Only the hardiest desert plants can survive in such a dry, hostile climate."
Relating to a corporate takeover or acquisition that is strongly opposed by the management of the target company.
"The board of directors implemented new measures to defend the firm against a hostile takeover."
• noun
A person, group, or entity regarded as an enemy or opposing force.
"The radar operator detected several unidentified hostiles approaching the restricted zone."
• Rhymes for hostile
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin 'hostilis' ('of an enemy'), derived from 'hostis', which originally meant 'stranger' or 'foreigner' before evolving to mean 'enemy'. It shares an Indo-European root with the English words 'host' and 'guest'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.